Container carrier

ABSTRACT

A flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers includes a flexible sheet having two rows of container apertures formed therein. A centerline divides the two rows of container apertures and a plurality of slits are positioned between the centerline and each row of container apertures so that the plurality of slits are positioned generally parallel to the centerline. The plurality of containers are each placed into a respective container aperture and are thus unitized in a package.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/919,772, filed 23 Mar. 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a flexible carrier for carrying a plurality ofcontainers such as cans or bottles.

2. Description of Prior Art

Conventional container carriers are often used to unitize a plurality ofsimilarly sized containers, such as cans, bottles, jars and boxes and/orsimilar containers that require unitization. Flexible plastic ringcarriers are one such conventional container carrier. Flexible plasticring carriers may be used to unitize groups of four, six, eight, twelveor other suitable groups of containers into a convenient multipackage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a flexible carrier for packagingcontainers that includes an arrangement of container apertures and aplurality of slits that facilitate application of the flexible carrierto a plurality of containers.

According to preferred embodiments of this invention, each flexiblecarrier preferably includes two rows of container apertures, each forreceiving a container, to form a package. A centerline or weldpreferably extends across a length of the flexible carrier and separatesthe two rows of container apertures. In addition, the plurality of slitsare located between each row of container apertures and centerline/weld.

Further, a handle is preferably connected between the rows of containerapertures and extends upwardly from between the rows of containerapertures. A plurality of struts may connect the handle with theflexible sheet between the rows of container apertures, preferablybetween a centerline of the flexible sheet and the handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this inventionwill be better understood from the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a flexible carrier according to onepreferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a package of containers according to onepreferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a front left perspective view of the package shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front schematic view of a flexible carrier immediately priorto application to containers, the flexible carrier without slits betweena centerline and rows of container apertures; and

FIG. 5 is a front schematic view of a flexible carrier immediately priorto application to containers according to one preferred embodiment ofthis invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows flexible carrier 10 for unitizing six containers to form aunitized package. FIGS. 2 and 3 show a package of unitized containers80. Although FIGS. 1-3 illustrate various structures for flexiblecarrier 10 of the invention, the illustrations are exemplary, and theinvention is not limited to the flexible carriers 10 or packages shown.For example, flexible carrier 10 may be configured and used to unitizefour, eight, twelve or any other desired number of containers.

The containers, such as those shown in packages in FIGS. 2 and 3, arepreferably bottles or cans. Although bottles are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,any other commonly unitized container may be used with flexible carrier10 according to this invention. The containers are preferably, thoughnot necessarily, like-sized within a single flexible carrier 10.

Each flexible carrier 10 preferably includes one or more layers offlexible sheet 20 having a width and length defining therein a pluralityof container apertures 25, each for receiving a container 80. Theplurality of container apertures 25 are preferably arranged inlongitudinal rows and longitudinal ranks so as to form an array ofcontainer apertures 25, such as two rows by three ranks for a sixcontainer multipackage; two rows by six ranks for a twelve containermultipackage, etc. Container apertures 25 are preferably elongated in alongitudinal direction of flexible carrier 10.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, such as shownin FIG. 1, two layers of flexible sheet 20 are connected along alongitudinally extending centerline 60. Centerline 60 as used hereingenerally describes a segment between rows of container apertures 25and/or between layers of flexible sheet 20. According to one preferredembodiment of this invention, centerline 60 comprises a weld that joinsthe two layers of flexible sheet 20. The two layers of flexible sheet 20may be coextruded, welded, or otherwise joined together to createflexible carrier 10. “Weld” as used in the specification and claims maybe defined as a hot weld, cold weld, lamination or any other manner ofconnection that joins two sheets of material known to those havingordinary skill in the art.

As shown in FIG. 1, a row of container apertures 25 is preferably formedon each side of centerline 60 and/or in each layer of the two layers offlexible sheet 20. As such, one row of container apertures 25 ispreferably formed along each side of the centerline 60. Accordingly, sixcontainer apertures 25 are formed in flexible carrier 10 shown in FIG.1, i.e. two overlapping rows of three container apertures 25 each.Container apertures 25 are preferably formed in a geometry that resultsin a tight unitization of containers 80 without excess play and/orsliding between and among containers 80 and flexible carrier 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of slits are positioned betweencenterline 60 and each row of container apertures 25. According to thispreferred embodiment, centerline 60 comprises a weld extendinglongitudinally from one edge of flexible carrier 10 to an opposite edge.As shown, the plurality of slits 30 are preferably positioned generallyparallel to centerline 60 and are preferably positioned closer tocenterline 60 than to container apertures 25. More specifically, asshown in FIG. 1, slits 30 are preferably spaced at least approximatelythree times further away from respective container apertures 25 than tocenterline 60. Depending on a relative size of flexible carrier 10and/or container apertures 25, this ratio may change betweenapproximately 2:1 and approximately 5:1 wherein the first number in theratio is a distance between slit 30 and container aperture 25 and thesecond number in the ration is a distance between slit 30 and centerline60.

Further, as also shown in FIG. 1, each slit 30 is preferably generallyaligned between container apertures 25 and centerline 60 so that asingle slit 30 is positioned adjacent each respective container aperture25. As a result of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the plurality ofslits 30 and the plurality of container apertures 25 are positionedthrough a double layer of the plastic sheet 25. Therefore, in apreferred embodiment of this invention having six container apertures25, three slits 30 are positioned adjacent three container apertures 25on each side of centerline 60 dividing two rows of container apertures25. In this manner and in this embodiment, exactly three slits 30 arepositioned between centerline 60 and each row of container apertures 25.Likewise, in flexible carrier 10 having two rows of four containerapertures 25 each, exactly four slits 40 may be positioned betweencenterline 60 and each row of container apertures 25. Although a singleslit 30 is shown associated with each respective container aperture 25,additional embodiments are contemplated that may include multiple slits30 associated with each container aperture 25.

As shown in FIG. 1, each slit 30 preferably extends generally parallelto a generally straight inside edge of each respective containeraperture 25. In addition, as shown flexible carrier 10 may furtherinclude a plurality of generally triangular apertures 45 having aninside edge aligned with centerline 60, each generally triangularaperture 45 is preferably positioned in the plastic sheet between eachcontainer aperture 25. Therefore, as shown, two generally triangularapertures 45 are positioned along centerline 60 of flexible carrier 10.

As shown in a preferred embodiment of this invention, multiple slits 30are positioned between centerline 60 and each row of container apertures25. However, according to one preferred embodiment of this invention,any suitable line of weakness 35 may be positioned between each row ofcontainer apertures 25 and centerline 60. Suitable lines of weakness 35may include arrangements of perforations, slits, scores, a reduction inthickness of flexible sheet 20 or any other similar line of weakness 35known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

As shown in FIG. 1, according to one preferred embodiment of thisinvention, handle 50 is formed along the centerline 60 between the tworows of container apertures 25 and, following application of flexiblecarrier 10 to containers 80, in a separate plane from the two rows ofcontainer apertures 25. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, handle 50 isconnected along a side of the row of container apertures 25, and ispreferably connected with respect to centerline 60, such as the weld.Handle 50 may be integrally formed with flexible sheet 20 or may beseparately formed and attached relative to flexible sheet 20.

Handle 50 may comprise one or more elongated apertures 55 positionedwithin handle 50 or may comprise a similar configuration that providesan ample area for a consumer to grasp by inserting his hand through andstill maintain the purpose and integrity of package 100.

As best shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of struts 70 connect handle 50 withthe rows of container apertures 25, preferably between centerline 60 andhandle 50. In the two layer of flexible sheet 20 embodiment of thesubject invention, struts 70 are preferably formed in both layers offlexible sheet 20 and one or more handle welds 75 may be positionedlongitudinally across handle 50. The plurality of struts 70 may compriseinner struts located across internal portions of flexible carrier 10 andouter struts located across a periphery of flexible carrier 10.

As best shown in FIG. 1, according to one preferred embodiment of thisinvention, panel 40 is preferably formed along a side of the row ofcontainer apertures 25 opposite handle 50. Panel 40 preferablyaccommodates, on one or both sides, UPC and proof of purchase labels,graphics, and promotional and/or other information related to contentsand/or ingredients of containers 80 and/or package 100.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, package 100 resulting from flexible carrier10 includes a plurality of unitized containers 80. Flexible carriers 10are generally applied to containers 80 by stretching flexible sheet 20surrounding container apertures 25 around the perimeter of container 80,and allowing the stretched carrier 10 to recover, thereby providing atight engagement. Carrier 10 is typically applied to a chime or rib orcontainer 80, where this structure exists, or to a main sidewall.

Specifically, flexible carrier 10 is preferably fanned out fromcenterline 60 so that each row container apertures 25 is engageable witha respective group of containers 80. As a result of the describedconfiguration of flexible carrier 10, the two rows of containerapertures 25 are generally co-planar with each other. This preferredarrangement facilitates application of flexible carrier 10 to containers80, specifically through the use of an application drum having aplurality of jaws for engaging each container aperture 25 and stretchingsuch container aperture 25 around a respective container 80.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show front schematic views of flexible carrier 10 withoutslits 30 (FIG. 4) and with slits 30 (FIG. 5) immediately prior toapplication to containers 80. As shown schematically, jaws 110 engageeach container aperture 25 and stretch each container aperture 25 arounda respective container.

As shown in FIG. 4, flexible carrier 10 without slits 30 betweencenterline 60 and rows of container apertures 25 is engaged with jaws110 creating an arcuate transition between each row of containerapertures 25 from remainder of flexible carrier 10. In addition, adistance “X” between a center of flexible carrier 10 and an outer edgeis created to enable application of container apertures 25 to containers80.

FIG. 5 shows flexible carrier 10 immediately prior to application tocontainers 80 having a plurality of slits 30 as described above andshown in FIG. 1. According to this preferred embodiment of theinvention, as container apertures 25 are engaged with jaws 110, agenerally perpendicular or 90 degree transition is created between eachrow of container apertures 25 and the remainder of flexible carrier 10.In addition, a distance between a center of flexible carrier 10 and anouter edge of flexible carrier 10 is created that is greater than X tofurther promote application of container apertures 25 to containers 80.

As a result of the described configuration in one preferred embodimentof this invention, two layers of flexible sheet 20 joined with thelongitudinally extending centerline 60 include a row of containerapertures 25 formed in each layer of the two layers of flexible sheet20. One row of container apertures 25 is formed on each side ofcenterline 60 resulting in flexible carrier 10 fanning out at centerline60 to permit a generally flat plane of engagement within whichcontainers 80 are inserted. Handle 50 and container apertures 25preferably extend in different planes in this configuration, preferablyat approximately 90 degrees from each other. In this manner, each row ofcontainer apertures 25 engages a respective row of containers 80 to formpackage 100.

Handle 50 suitable for manual grasping preferably extends from anapproximate middle of flexible sheet 20. In package 100, according toone preferred embodiment of this invention, handle 50 preferably extendsupwardly from centerline 60 and between each row of container apertures25. Handle struts 70 permit proper separation between centerline 60 andhandle 50 to permit a comfortable grasping area within package 100. Assuch, package 100 may be carried by manually grasping handle 50extending upwardly from package 100.

While in the foregoing specification this invention has been describedin relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many detailshave been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that flexible carrier 10 and package 100 aresusceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the detailsdescribed herein can be varied considerably without departing from thebasic principles of the invention.

1. A container carrier including a plastic sheet and a plurality ofcontainer apertures, each container aperture of the container aperturesfor engaging a container, the container carrier comprising: a centerlinedividing two rows of container apertures; a plurality of slitspositioned between the centerline and each row of container apertures,the plurality of slits positioned generally parallel to the centerline.2. The container carrier of claim 1 wherein each slit of the pluralityof slits is generally aligned between the container apertures and theweld so that a single slit is positioned adjacent each respectivecontainer aperture.
 3. The container carrier of claim 1 wherein theplurality of slits and the plurality of container apertures arepositioned through a double layer of the plastic sheet.
 4. The containercarrier of claim 1 wherein each slit of the plurality of slits extendsgenerally parallel to a generally straight inside edge of eachrespective container aperture.
 5. The container carrier of claim 1further comprising: a handle positioned on an opposite side of thecenterline as the plurality of slits.
 6. The container carrier of claim5 wherein each row of container apertures is positioned approximately 90degrees from the handle.
 7. A package of container including a plasticsheet and a plurality of container apertures, each container aperture ofthe container apertures engaging a container, the package comprising: aweld positioned across the plastic sheet; a first row of containerapertures and respective containers extending along one side of theweld; a second row of container apertures and respective containersextending along an opposite side of the weld; a plurality of slitspositioned between each row of container apertures and the weld; and ahandle extending upwardly from the weld and at approximately a 90 degreeangle from each row of container apertures.
 8. The package of claim 7wherein each slit of the plurality of slits is generally aligned betweenthe container apertures and the weld so that a single slit is positionedadjacent each respective container aperture.
 9. The package of claim 7wherein each slit of the plurality of slits extends generally parallelto a generally straight inside edge of each respective containeraperture.
 10. The package of claim 7 wherein the first row of containerapertures is co-planar with the second row of container apertures. 11.The package of claim 7 wherein exactly three slits are positionedbetween the weld and each row of container apertures.
 12. A containercarrier including a plastic sheet and a plurality of containerapertures, each container aperture of the container apertures forengaging a container, the container carrier comprising: a weld dividingtwo rows of container apertures, the two rows of container aperturesoverlapping each other; a line of weakness positioned between the weldand each row of container apertures, the line of weakness positionedgenerally parallel to the weld; and a handle extending upwardly from theweld.
 13. The container carrier of claim 12 wherein the line of weaknesscomprises a plurality of slits.
 14. The container carrier of claim 13wherein each slit of the plurality of slits is generally aligned betweenthe container apertures and the weld so that a single slit is positionedadjacent each respective container aperture.
 15. The container carrierof claim 12 further comprising a generally triangular aperture having aninside edge aligned with the weld, each generally triangular aperturepositioned in the plastic sheet between each container aperture.
 16. Thecontainer carrier of claim 12 wherein the line of weakness is positionedapproximately three times closer to the weld than to each containeraperture.